THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has identified high-value crops from Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with significant export potential to East Asia.

The DTI’s Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTIC) in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, together with the DTI-Regional Office 2 and Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 2 office, gathered in a webinar to present export opportunities for the region’s strength as a predominantly agricultural region.

“Our bountiful Cagayan Valley has a lot to offer, not only here in the Philippines, but probably in other countries as well. Let us not be content with our current markets; let us not simply be the suppliers to exporters, but rather be the exporters,” said DTI Region 2 Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo.

“Let us banner our agricultural prowess to the rest of the world. Together, we will transcend international borders until we can say that Region 2 is ready to see the world,” added Ocampo.

More than a third of the Cagayan Valley region’s land area is dedicated to agricultural production.

It is the country’s leading producer of corn and second in palay (unmilled rice) production, explained Carol Pasion, agricultural specialist for DARegion 2.

Bananas, pineapples, mung beans (munggo), purple yam, and citrus are among the region’s highvalue crops that provide high net returns per hectare of land.

“In Japan, mung bean is a ‘million-dollar business,’ according to Kenneth Yap, commercial attaché of PTIC-Tokyo.

“You don’t have to be a very big farmer to export mung beans. We just need to consolidate what we have in the region,” Yap added.

The DA, for its part, said that to successfully export to developed markets like Japan, it is important to craft a compelling narrative around Cagayan Valley.

“If we could go on creating a niche market, say for Region 2 bananas, I’m sure we have a ready story to tell from Region 2 and that would make a lot of difference,” said Pit Laquian, the DA agriculture attaché.

“Even if we don’t export, like DOLE or Sumifru, I think we can create a brand for Region 2,” Laquian said.

Laquian said they are exploring non-traditional channels to bring Philippine products to Japan, such as making tropical fruits available in the country’s wide network of vending machines.